Melbourne 2019 - Day 1

Earlier in the year Hannah and I had discussed going to see Harry Potter and the Cursed Child in Melbourne.  We ummed and ahhed and eventually decided on a date that would work for all of us.  So Friday 8 November we headed off.  Stu and I took a half day and flew down, while Hannah and Rita drove down.

War Memorial lawn setup for Remembrance Day
War Memorial lawn setup for Remembrance Day

We flew Virgin because it was about half the price of Qantas.  So no Qantas lounge for us.

Virgin Australia Boeing 737-800 VH-VOQ at Canberra Airport
Virgin Australia Boeing 737-800 VH-VOQ at Canberra Airport

Virgin Australia Boeing 737-800 VH-VOQ at Canberra Airport
Virgin Australia Boeing 737-800 VH-VOQ at Canberra Airport

Royal Australian Air Force Dassault Falcon 7X A56-001 at Canberra Airport
Royal Australian Air Force Dassault Falcon 7X A56-001 at Canberra Airport

A350s are enormous next to 737s!

Qatar Airbus A350-1041 A7-ANG at Canberra Airport
Qatar Airbus A350-1041 A7-ANG at Canberra Airport

There were clouds over Canberra so the view disappeared pretty quickly.  Super sad times, as I love the flight from Canberra to Melbourne which curves around the north of Canberra and normally gives an awesome view of the city.

Canberra from the plane
Canberra from the plane

Belconnen town centre
Belconnen town centre

Rainbow over the ACT
Rainbow over the ACT

Snackages on the plane
Snackages on the plane

There was rain about in Melbourne but the air was quite clear, and there were rainbows here too.

Docklands from the Sky Bus
Docklands from the Sky Bus

Melbourne under a rainbow
Melbourne under a rainbow

We caught the Sky Bus into the city.  It's getting fairly expensive these days - $75 for the two of us for return ticket.  Still quite a bit cheaper than a taxi though.  Went across the road and took a tram all the way along Burke Street to our hotel.

Kaz and Stu on a tram
Kaz and Stu on a tram

We stayed at the Rydges, which was quite nice, except for the very soft bed.

Our room at Rydges
Our room at Rydges

Our room at Rydges
Our room at Rydges

Tea and coffee making facilities in our room at Rydges
Tea and coffee making facilities in our room at Rydges

We had a view to the north.

View from our hotel room
View from our hotel room

The sweetie taking a selfie
The sweetie taking a selfie

View from our hotel room
View from our hotel room

This apartment building had floor to ceiling windows, which meant you could see straight into everyone's messy apartments.

View from our hotel room
View from our hotel room

Building with floor to ceiling windows opposite the hotel
Building with floor to ceiling windows opposite the hotel

You could see everything inside these apartments
You could see everything inside these apartments

We could just see Her Majesty's Theatre, which was playing Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Her Majesty's Theatre
Her Majesty's Theatre

After we'd got settled we went out to find a pub and some dinner.  The first pub on the corner here was too noisy and we couldn't find a table anyway, so we kept going.

Victorian Parliament House
Victorian Parliament House

Around the corner was the Princess Theatre, where Harry Potter was playing.

Entrance to Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at the Princess Theatre
Entrance to Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at the Princess Theatre

Entrance to Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at the Princess Theatre
Entrance to Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at the Princess Theatre

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at the Princess Theatre
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at the Princess Theatre

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at the Princess Theatre
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at the Princess Theatre

Stu being sorted
Stu being sorted

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory being shown at Her Majesty's Theatre
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory being shown at Her Majesty's Theatre

Around the corner again and walked half way through Chinatown.

Building in Chinatown
Building in Chinatown

Half way along Chinatown was the Exford Hotel, which had a nice bar upstairs, with comfy chairs available and the music was good and not toooo loud, so we had a couple of beers there (and we just beat the rain too - it poured while we were inside).

Stu at the bar in the Exford Hotel
Stu at the bar in the Exford Hotel

After drinks we headed back out to find somewhere for dinner, walking back through Chinatown and past the hotel.

Middle entrance of Chinatown looking east
Middle entrance of Chinatown looking east

Sunset shining through Chinatown
Sunset shining through Chinatown

Rydges Hotel
Rydges Hotel

We ended up at Rice Paper Scissors, recommended by Shane at work.  When we got there they were telling the people in front of us it would be an hour and a half wait to go inside and our hearts sank somewhat.  But then they said we could sit outside right now and we were like, sold!  We're from Canberra, we don't mind the cold (it was somewhat cold that night and a bit rainy but the rain had stopped and there was a gas heater anyway).  It was awesome!!  Really delicious food.  I think one of the dishes (maybe the crab) was a tad spicy for me, but it was all really good.

Rice Paper Scissors sign (Rice Papr Scrs)
Rice Paper Scissors sign (Rice Papr Scrs)

Stu at Rice Paper Scissors
Stu at Rice Paper Scissors

Malaysian Roti ($7) - served with a peanut dipping sauce; something to mop up the best bits.
Malaysian Roti ($7) - served with a peanut dipping sauce; something to mop up the best bits.

Thai Fried Chicken ($14) - marinated in galangal, chili and coriander root
Thai Fried Chicken ($14) - marinated in galangal, chili and coriander root

Soft Shell Crab Salad ($16) - crispy soft shell crab with a green mango, coconut and herb salad
Soft Shell Crab Salad ($16) - crispy soft shell crab with a green mango, coconut and herb salad

Roast Duck Salad ($16) - roast duck and banana blossom salad with ramburan, chili jam and coconut dressing
Roast Duck Salad ($16) - roast duck and banana blossom salad with ramburan, chili jam and coconut dressing

Steamed Pork Buns ($15) - with pork belly, cucumber, shallots and hoisin sauce
Steamed Pork Buns ($15) - with pork belly, cucumber, shallots and hoisin sauce

Sticky Pork Belly ($16) - twice cooked pork in a tamarind caramel sauce, topped with a fragant herb salad
Sticky Pork Belly ($16) - twice cooked pork in a tamarind caramel sauce, topped with a fragant herb salad

The heater next to me that burnt my face off ;)
The heater next to me that burnt my face off ;)

Then we went back to the hotel to collapse.